I’ve heard the talk, read the comments.
Apparently, the hometown referees are a big reason why the Michigan Soo Eagles currently have the best record within the West Division of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
I beg to differ.
First off, a note about the officiating.
There is a certain Michigan Soo referee that teams have had issues with but in games that I’ve seen — and I’m a regular at Pullar Stadium — the calls and “non calls” have affected the home team as well as the visitors.
Plus, I happen to think that a pair of Michigan Soo refs, Murray Meehan and Charlie Gimpel, are as good as any I have seen in the NOJHL.
Let’s give credit where credit is due here.
The Eagles have a record of 18-5-1 and while they have been dominant on home ice with a 12-2 record, they have a 6-3-1 record on the road. And let it be noted that the Eagles 6-3-1 road record is second only to the Abitibi Eskimos.
I should also point out that the Eagles 6-3-1 road record includes wins over Abitibi, North Bay, Sudbury and the Soo Thunderbirds and that one of the losses came against the Manitoulin Islanders when the Michiganders were missing several regulars due to team suspension.
It’s also worth noting that as the Eagles are 6-3-1 on the road, the crossriver Thunderbirds have a 6-7 mark away from home.
To be sure, the Eagles have earned their way to their current record of 18-5-1. They’ve done it with exceptional goaltending — especially from John Kleinhans – and by playing the team-oriented systems of veteran coach Paul Theriault.
Are the Eagles the most-talented team in the NOJHL West?
No, the Thunderbirds are.
And I suspect that when all is said and done after the 50-game regular season that the Thunderbirds will be atop the West Division and that the Eagles and Blind River Beavers will have completed a photo finish for second place and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Meantime, the Eagles — a welcome addition to the NOJHL in just their second season of operation — have overcome major obstacles to get where they are in the standings.
They overcame the departure of three high-profile staff members in early October and they have won three straight games since releasing their fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh leading scorers on Dec. 1.
Kudos to Coach Theriault and his trusted assistant Dennis Bolton for the part they have played in the Eagles on-ice success to date.
And the same to the players who have shrugged off the distractions to lead the Eagles to what is an impressive 18-5-1 record as they approach the midway point of the NOJHL regular season.
From Kleinhans and fellow All-Star goalie Michael Doan to a no-frills blueline led by big Anthony Raymond and hard-shooting howitzer Joe Spitzer (who looks more like an offensive tackle) to four solid lines that feature Brian Depp, Ryan McAleese, Aaron Leonard et al, the Eagles have been a good first-half story in the NOJHL, trailing only Abitibi.
Praise them, not haze them.
Good Game tonight Birds having a very hard time scoring .Not playing well to many mistakes and odd man rushes cost them the game again
Bill & watchthegame
as for spears on Richards I didn’t see any not to say there was none I did see him jump the Bird player though .
Marcel
I can tell you if he wants to he is more than welcome on the T-Birds
Scout09
Maybe the wheels were traded in for Skis I htink the Birds may have been at the same sale lol
Great Show RR! Well Soo Eagles Prez Judd Howson confirmed what RR and many of us who realy know Coach Theriault already know and that is Paul has been cleared of any wrong doing from the allegations made earelier in the season by the Three Amigos and their Witch Hunt!
RR I know that you and Paul have had “philosophicle issues” before but you stood up and defended Paul’s charcter when there were some who doubted him and as a friend of Paul’s I thank you for that!
Beavers W… I wasn’t at the game, but can see the new recruits are contibuting ie Ominka, McCully, Foley………. congrats!
It was a good game to watch – the Beavers had lots of chances – don’t read too much into the shots on net – the game was scrambly at times and lots of turn-overs or just misses – but IMO the Beavers deserved the win they played a smart game and wanted it more! The T-Birds are a very talented team nice to watch they may need some help in goal IMO. McCully is an all around solid Defenceman impressive player needs to stay out of the penalty box late in the game…
RR,
Heard Watchorn to Motor City in the NAHL any truth to this? He would be free to go with his release from the Eagles? Is he free to go anywhere in the NOJHL though?
A great game to watch, fast, hard nosed. Very few whistles, both teams showed some great strategy, but most of the time a battle decided. Great fight, a classic… solid smacks for about 1:25. Team West all the way! Jr Wolves Friday. Border Battle Sunday. Happy Holidays
Eskis played a sloppy game last night..No intensity and always seemed to be chasing the Wolves. AP Robichaud was given a great opportunity by being put on the first line with Clancy and Boutin. He played a good game and other AP also played well but wasn’t given the opportunities that Robichaud had (1st PP). McDonald’s bad turnover which led to a St. Jacques penalty was the deciding factor in the game(GWG). Despite the shot totals, was not impressed with Davey’s play(sloppy goaltending..big rebounds).
My 3 stars
1-Pontes (played forward and did well)
2-Belanger
3- Clancy (2 beautiful goals)
giantkiller,
The Eagles still hold Watchorn’s NOJHL rights, along with those of Axsom, Johnston and Scott.
Regards,
RR
So where are the details of the beaver tbird game. They don’t appear to be posted yet. Did anyone go and see. Who scored how many shots?
It was a fast game, but a bit sloppy at times, some bad defensive break downs by the TBirds cost them the overtime loss. Foley made some really nice stops especially in the first. TBirds looked flat footed in the second. The shots weren’t really accurate IMO, they had only 4 shots for the Beavers in the second and I had 9 on my count. McCully and Ominika were the best players for the Beavers, Schug was a work horse all night for the TBirds, by far our best player on the night. The OT goal was a bit of a fluker. McDonald made a couple really nice stops on breakaways. There were two suspensions handed out. Richard got 3 games total (2nd instigator of the year and third fight) and Connolly got 2 games for his fourth fight. A good old school tilt and lots of shots thrown. Beavers look much better on the back end, and I would expect a great game Saturday when they play the Eagles. Imagine the Jr Wolves will be hungry Friday after taking down the Eskis last night. Looks like a great finish to the year.
MAYBE NOW YOU SOO FANS WILL KNOW WHY RICHARDS DIDNT FIGHT IT MENT 3 GAMES.AND CAPY DONT GO FOR THAT.
bill – first of all, typing in caps is extremely obnoxious when posting, but if that’s who you are, nothing I can do about that.
second – the extra 2 games he got was for instigating, that’s on his shoulders
and third, he lost that fight after Connolly recovered from being jumped, so maybe he doesn’t fight toe to toe because he can’t. IMO
FYI,
Soo Eagles have named Michigan Soo product Pete Formolo as their newe Captain. Wearing the “A” will be Anthony Raymond, Aaron Leonard and Kevin Michelcavage.
RR
Hey whocares
I was told by good sources that watch the official game video that you cannot tell from where he came from and you cannot see how many players were on the ice at the time otherwise they would had put an official protest to the league..
whocares- where did you see this video? I searched youtube and came up empty.
Islanders have signed a new player, Kristian Burger from Pembroke. Had 3 assists and 8 PIM in 9 games last year with Renfrew of the EOJBHL, where recently acquired Reed Broadhurst played last year. Doesn’t appear to have been playing anywhere this year. Not clear if he’s a forward or defenceman. This would seem to put them back over the limit on imports, meaning Craig Young is almost certainly not returning.
why not ask someone who was there?
deejay, allan, nbbayhockey, bayer..,? did he come off the bench , maybe there was a line change that just took place?
every player at one point , “comes off the bench”
Traps will have to be extra hungry for the game this Sat. Those Eskies will be in an unpleasant mood looking to snap the streak.
Just don’t go 0-20 and all should be good.
That would be the new-founded losing streak
Better have your team go through this now and learn how to get out of it, before the playoffs
to add to my first post above, everybody “comes off the bench” but Alan Iverson
Thanks Bird
FYI,
Soo Eagles in the process of finalizing a trade that will send RW Jake Watchorn to Motor City of the North American Hockey League.
RR
motley, after conferring with my linesman ,and at the risk of having my ruling overturned by an abitibi appeal(ok, what i really mean is i asked my son who was next to me at the game to be sure of my statement here), gamache was standing by the boards waiting for the dust to settle when carriere went over the line with marceau-as an aside, his first or second punch took off marceau’s helmet, which REALLY made it look worse the way he kept swinging after marceau was down on his back on the ice. gamache skated over and tackled carriere, knocking him off marceau…no punches were thrown between those 2, and i can’t remember which of the eskis took up a clutch and grab stance with gamache immediately afterward. any questions?
Congratulations to Pete Formolo, new captain of the Eagles. Sounds like a strong character.
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With regards to Eagles Coach Paul Theriault: Nice to hear Eagles President Judd Howson state (on the Dec. 16 Hockey North Show on SportsZeus.com) what many have known all along. Sad that others were so quick to judge before all the facts were on the table. Paul has probably had a very hard time shouldering such slanderous accusations and still maintain his composure on the way to running up some solid W’s. That is a pro!
I have no inside scoop…I just happen to know Paul T. and his character.
Thanks Randy, for withholding judgement until all the facts were on the table and standing by Paul. I know he is many things and far from perfect, but not what some were accusing him of. His sincere intentions are towards the development of young men through the game of hockey.
Now, a big weekend for the Eagles, culminating in a Sunday clash, as the Border Battle continues. Good Luck to all, but especially Paul, Denis and all the players and staff of the Eagles.
Jr wolves, it isnt always greener but their chances of getting a look would be a little better in the other junior loops . Its crappy to say but there are alot of good players in the Noje who miss the boat while less talented players play elsewhere and get rides. that being said! i think the teams in this league are doing a far better job at promoting than in the past .
GOOD JOB LAST NIGHT ESKIES HAHAHAHAHA
Motz
i believe Gamache was on the ice, i remember seeing him that shift when things started then he dissapeard so not sure if he went to stand at the bench or got off the ice, when i noticed him again it sure looked like he came from the bench area which is where the eskis probably thought he came off.
It was a pleasure to see Judd, and Asst Coach Bolton at the game last night, and many other fans. Looks like team west is shaping up, I predict west by 3.
too many turkey’s in Abatibi they all getting fat ahahahahahahahahahahaha
the “three amigo’s” in Michigan just shit a big Burreeto ahahahahahahahaha
no fan’s left in Nord Bay the Lil Prik is sqeezing his pecker ahahahahahaha
hockeyfan
how long did you have to think to come up with that coment?
Gotta love Peachy! Hey RR – any chance of getting Peachy on the North Show? LOL
RR,
Can I get a signed picture of Peachy for my basement hockey room? What’s not to love about his comments?
TBirds are happy to announce the return of no nonsense winger Dan Vernelli, the hard working Vernelli had 31 points regular season and 9 points in the playoffs last year with the TBirds. He started at practice yesterday, looking forward to the Jr Wolves tonight at the Rhodes
Just posted on OspreyBlogs.com:
ALL-STAR VIDEO…LEGAL BEAGLE EAGLES…
RR
Oh those Eskis are such Angels LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO